27/12/2025
Genome editing platforms and DSB repair mechanismđ
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Timeline of Gene Editing Development
The field of genome editing has rapidly evolved over the years, with new tools and technologies emerging to precisely modify DNA sequences.
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Genome Editing Technologies
Several genome editing platforms are currently in use:
đ´Meganucleases â naturally occurring enzymes that recognize long DNA sequences.
đ´ZFN (Zinc Finger Nuclease) â engineered proteins that target specific DNA sequences for cleavage.
đ´TALEN (Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nuclease) â customizable proteins that bind specific DNA regions.
đ´CRISPR-Cas9 â a highly versatile system using RNA guides to direct the Cas9 nuclease to specific DNA sequences.
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DSB Repair Mechanisms
Genome editing introduces double-strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA, which are repaired by the cell through two main pathways:
đ´Non-Homologous End Joining (NHEJ) â directly joins the broken DNA ends, often causing insertions or deletions (indels).
đ´Homology-Directed Repair (HDR) â uses a donor DNA template to precisely replace or insert DNA sequences.
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Key Abbreviations
NHEJ â Non-Homologous End Joining
HDR â Homology-Directed Repair
đĄ https://www.cell.com/.../fulltext/S2162-2531(25)00287-2
Credit: Cancer Biology Research